Nobody ever plans on being in a car accident, and our car accident lawyer Longwood, FL drivers rely on understands what you’re going through. Being injured in a car accident is emotionally and physically traumatic for you and your loved ones. We have dedicated our legal practice to ensure our injured clients receive the justice they deserve. Let our car accident lawyer in Longwood take care of you every step of the way.
With many years of experience helping auto accident victims, the car accident lawyer Longwood, FL residents trust, at David & Philpot, L.P., carefully investigates each claim to reach maximum compensation for our clients. We work with clients all over the state of Florida.
Our Longwood car accident lawyer makes sure clients receive the medical attention necessary while we work to develop their cases for settlement or trial. We work with medical experts to relieve:
- Whiplash and neck strain
- broken bones
- head & brain injuries
- neck & back injuries
- PTSD and personality changes
- cuts and lacerations requiring extensive medical attention
- internal bleeding and organ damage
- paralysis and nerve damage
- wrongful Death
…or any other car accident related medical injuries!
Auto Accident Type
Our car accident lawyer in Longwood FL can assist with:
- rear-end collision
- side impact
- multiple vehicle accidents
- negligent driving
- drunk driving
- vehicle Rollover
- single car accidents
- fatal Accidents
… And more!
How Insurance Companies Measure Auto Injury Costs
Understanding the process of how insurance companies measure the cost of accidents requires extensive experience. Some of the factors that come into play are:
- total to repair cost for vehicle damage
- cost of Medical bills
- time length for injury recovery
- pain & suffering
- any other disturbance to your life such as loss of work wages, additional support that cost you out of pocket, and resources to deal with the injury.
7 of the Most Common Causes of Car Accidents
Car accidents can have many causes that may require contacting a car accident lawyer Longwood, FL for compensation. However, some car accidents occur more often than others. We’ll explore seven of the most common causes of car accidents.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is avoidable in most cases, but unfortunately, it’s also one of the most common reasons for car accidents. Forms of distracted driving include:
- Texting while driving: Texting while driving takes a driver’s attention off the road and at least a hand off the steering wheel. Texting while driving can especially be dangerous in suburbs or city areas.
- Eating or drinking: It’s easy to pull into a fast food drive-through and grab a burger and fries. However, eating while driving may cause a car accident.
- Listening to loud music: Listening to loud music can also distract a driver, especially if there are passengers present singing along. Besides distracting the driver, loud music can distract other drivers as well.
Driving While Under the Influence
Drunk or drugged driving can cause many issues. Your reaction time is often slower while driving under the influence. Additionally, you may engage in risky driving that you otherwise wouldn’t try while sober. Depending on your condition, it’s possible for you to blackout while driving and hit someone or something. If you experience an accident that’s the result of a drunk or drugged driver, then you’ll want to contact a car accident lawyer in Longwood, FL.
Weather Conditions
Sometimes a car accident might not be the direct fault of the driver. Instead, the problem might be linked to weather conditions. Driving during or in the aftermath of a rain or snowstorm can quickly cause a car accident. While it’s best to avoid driving during bad weather, some drivers may not have the choice if, for example, they need to get to work.
Driving at Night
Driving at night also presents a challenge, especially if you’re driving on a rural road with hardly any lighting. Although cars have tools to make night driving easier, you still don’t have as much visibility as you do during the day.
Drowsy Driving
In many cases, drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as distracted driving or driving while under the influence. Drowsing driving is especially common in truck drivers who may need to work long shifts out on the open road with hardly any breaks in between. If you can avoid driving while tired, then you should.
Poor Road Conditions
It’s the government’s responsibility to ensure roads are safe. Unfortunately, not every road has the same level of quality, and issues like potholes can quickly cause an accident. Additionally, a road without proper signage can also cause issues. An accident directly tied to poor road conditions may require help from Longwood, FL, car accident lawyer.
Traffic Violations
We have traffic rules for a reason, and violating traffic rules can quickly cause an accident. Some common offenses include:
- Running through stop signs
- Running through red lights
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Aggressive driving
Why Do I Need Witnesses for a Car Accident?
After a car accident, how much evidence your car accident lawyer in Longwood, Florida can bring forward regarding the incident can have a huge impact on your insurance claim and lawsuit against the driver at-fault. While medical documents related to injuries and photographs of the scene are crucial pieces of evidence, witnesses who can attest to your side of the story can be impactful too. Many people who have become victims in car accidents may forget just how influential a witness statement can be in support of their case.
Q: Why are witness statements so useful?
A: In general, witnesses statements can be used as an element of proof in that the car accident happened at all, in addition to demonstrating how the other driver was responsible for the collision. Your Longwood, FL car accident lawyer will likely follow up with witnesses within the next couple days after the crash, in order to get as accurate of a statement as possible. As time goes on, memory can become skewed and may no longer be an accurate representation of the accident.
Q: Does human memory really start to weaken only days later?
A: Yes, research has shown that human memory can be flawed. Bias may start to creep in, and witnesses may find out more information about the accident that they didn’t observe themselves, and incorporate it into their own story. As a car accident lawyer can attest, some people may also quickly forget what happened, including the small yet critical details about how the accident unfolded.
Q: When are witness statements the most reliable?
A: While witness statements from loved ones who were with you when the crash occurred can be helpful, bias may be a factor in their story. The perspectives of family members and friends can still be worth something, but not as much as a stranger who had no prior connection to either driver in the car accident. The victim of the car accident and his or her car accident lawyer, both may attempt to locate witnesses and gathering a statement shortly after the collision, to be used as an element of proof. The sooner a witness statement is collected, the more likely it is to be reliable.
Q: Can a witness statement help prove the other driver wrong?
A: If the victim driver files a lawsuit against the other for compensation, many cases begin with the discovery phase. This is where both sides investigate the evidence brought forward by the other. The victim driver and their car accident lawyer can predict the likelihood of winning the case and decide whether settling is the best course of action instead. During this discovery phase, a witness statement that contradicts the other driver’s story can be a major factor in the outcome for the case.
Q: It is possible that the witness statement can be used against me?
A: Yes, just like how a witness perspective can help you, it can also hurt your case depending on what is said. Your car accident lawyer in Longwood, FL can reach out to potential witnesses and ask them questions, to decide whether this person supports your side of the story or could hinder your case.
Take the first step and call accident lawyer in Longwood, FL
Our Longwood car accident lawyer’s priority focus is to get your life back to normal and heal you from your injuries. The Longwood car accident lawyer has received recognition for impressive results for clients all throughout the state of Florida. Do not ignore the financial and physical recovery you are entitled to. Only a car accident lawyer Longwood, FL trusts can help make sure your rights are protected, and that you have all the resources and support you through this difficult time.
A lot of negotiating with insurance companies occurs when settling or taking a case to trial. Taking on this work can be extremely stressful while enduring an injury. The car accident lawyer Longwood, FL has trusted for years can do it all for you. Our goal is always set on winning the most we can possibly get for our clients. Call the car accident lawyer Longwood, FL residents rely upon today!
Should You Wait to Contact a Car Accident Lawyer?
After a car accident, it is difficult to know what your next steps are. Car accidents can be shocking and traumatic so when it happens, you may not know how to follow up. Should you contact an attorney? If so, when do you contact a lawyer? Before you wait, here is when it’s time to contact a lawyer.
Steps to Take After an Accident
Once the accident happens, you may feel like you’re in shock. Most people are. However, it’s important to try to pull yourself together so that you can handle the aftermath clearly. It’s important to call authorities and seek out medical treatment as soon as possible. Never assume that your injuries aren’t serious enough. Not all injuries are visible.
If you are able to stay at the scene, then you need to make sure that you take pictures of the accident. Make sure to document as much of the damage as possible. After, you should exchange information with the other party and speak to any witnesses that are on the scene. Keep in mind that you never want to take blame for the accident.
Why Should You Never Take Blame Following an Accident?
Most people are taught good manners from a young age, which includes saying “sorry” in many social situations—even if they’re not directly responsible. For example, it’s not uncommon for us to say sorry after someone bumps into us. It’s a natural response; we instinctively say sorry even if it’s unclear who bumped into who. Car crashes can be unclear as well. The crash may have been due to your neglgience, the other driver’s negligence, the dark night paired with weak lighting, etc.
However, whether you believe you’re completely innocent or you know you’re at fault, you should never apologize, even as a polite gesture. Apologizing can quickly be seen as an admission of guilt, which the other driver, witnesses, law enforcement, etc., can use against you.
Is a Car Crash Always the Fault of One Party
The rules for who’s at fault can vary across different states. In Florida, a judge or jury can find multiple parties at fault. It’s even possible for more than two parties to be at fault. The court award will then be split between the parties. For example, if you’re 20% at fault, you will only be eligible to receive $2,000 from a $10,000 court award.
Will My Case Go to Trial, Though?
When hiring an attorney following a car crash, your attorney shouldn’t be afraid to take your case to trial if necessary. However, lawyers also understand there are many roads to justice and that trials should be used when absolutely necessary. The truth is, the vast majority of car accident cases don’t go to court for two main reasons:
- It takes a lot of time and money from all parties involved.
- Trials can be unpredictable—that high-sounding $10,000 settlement can quickly turn into $20,000 during court.
Instead, insurance companies prefer to settle outside of court. Your attorney will be able to advise you as to whether or not you should settle or go to trial.
However, Should I Accept the First Settlement Offer?
Especially if you need to repair your car or have medical bills stacking up, it can be tempting to accept the first settlement offer. Indeed, an offer may sound attractive on paper, but it’s important to consider all of your expenses. Sometimes a car crash may only result in minor damages and barely any time off from work. However, car crashes can also completely total your car and render you unable to work for several months or more. Consult with an attorney first to determine whether a settlement is realistic.
Will an Attorney Charge Me By the Hour?
You may not seek out an attorney because you believe it’ll cost too much. However, many attorneys operate under a contingency fee. This means that instead of charging you by the hour or on a retainer, the lawyer instead receives a percentage of the final settlement or court award. Although this percentage can sometimes be 30% or more, you won’t have to worry about any upfront expenses until you receive your settlement. Additionally, you’re never obligated to pay your attorney should they lose your case.
When It’s Time to Call a Lawyer
You should call a lawyer right away. There is a solid reason for this. After the accident, the other party will report the accident to his or her insurance company right away. Then, the car insurance company will get a hold of you. You don’t want to give a statement to an insurance company unless you consult with an attorney. The insurance company does not look out for your interests. Instead, any statement that you make may be used against your case in the future. A lawyer will look out for your best interests and advise you on how to deal with the other insurance company.
You may also want to contact a lawyer right away to make sure that you do not miss the statute of limitations. In most states, you have two years from the time of the accident to file a claim. The sooner that you speak to a lawyer, the sooner you can file a claim. While you might feel like you have a lot of time, you can lose track of time quickly, especially when life becomes hectic. It is also important to know your state’s regulations on the statute of limitations.
After a car accident, you might feel overwhelmed. It might be easy to lose track of time or to put off hiring an attorney. The truth is that you should contact an attorney as soon as possible to file your claim. For your consultation, contact a car accident attorney today.
Compiled below are common Q&A’s we receive from clients. If you don’t find an answer you’re looking for, contact us for a free consultation, and let our Longwood car accident lawyer assist today!
STEPS YOU SHOULD TAKE FOLLOWING A CAR ACCIDENT
SHOULD I FILE A LAWSUIT AFTER MY CAR ACCIDENT?
WHAT IS PIP AND HOW DOES IT AFFECT MY CLAIM?
WHAT HAPPENS IF I’M INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH AN UNINSURED DRIVER?
WHAT TYPES OF COMPENSATION CAN I RECEIVE AFTER AN ACCIDENT?
HOW TO SELECT THE RIGHT AUTO ACCIDENT ATTORNEY FOR YOU
